Electric circuits and means for controlling the same



June 1 ,1926. 1,586,512

S. E. ADAIR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME Filed June 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 InU ntor M E m Jtt ozcney Jiuie 1 192.6.

ADAIR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME 2 sheatsshe at 2 Filed June 5, 1922 Patented June -1:, 1926.

SAMUEL E. ADAIR, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,

v 1,586,512 PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

mo FEDERAL TELEPHONE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, or BUFFALO, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC CIRCUITS AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME.

Application filed June a, 1922. Serial no. 505,759.

The principal object of my invention has been to provide electric circuits and means for controlling the same, whereby any desired number of a series ofelectrical devices 6 maybe connected with each other at asingle point of control.

Another object has been to connect electrical devices in such a manner that, when the means controlling any individual device is operated, the devices preceding the selected device will also be operated.

Another object has been to provide electric circuits and means for controlling such circuits, so that the devices will be normally arranged in parallel across the line supplying current and be energized in sequence in accordance with the particular device operated.

Furthermore, my invention provides greatly simplified circuits and controls where a sequential arrangement of electrical devices is desired. These simplified circuits are less expensive, more easily installed, and less liable to cause trouble than those of'the prior art.

The above objects and advantages have been accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a number of electrical devices connected in accordance with my circuits and my means for controlling the same.

Fig. 2 shows my circuits and means for controlling the same applied to apparatus used in wireless telegraphy.

Referring to Fig. 1, which shows the general use of my circuits and means for controlling the same as applied to electrical devices of-any description, 5, 6, and 7, represent diagrammatically the electrical devicesto be controlled. These devices maybe electric lamps, motors, or vacuum tubes used in wireless telegraphy (as shownin Figs. 2 and 3). The means for controlling the circuits of my device comprises preferably the jacks 8, 9, vand 10. The jacks shown are of the type in which a plug (not shown) is inserted in the plate 11, and bears against the hooked end 12 of a contact spring 13. Each of the jacks, except the last one (jack 10), is provided with a back contact 14- and-a front contact 15. The contact spring 13 is so designed that it normally bears against the back contact 14, and is moved from engagement therewith only upon the insertion of the plug. When the plug is inserted, the

.5, 6, and

contact spring 13 is moved into engagement with the front contact 151 A battery 16, or other source of electric current, is provided for energizing the electrical devices 5, 6, and 7, and main leads 17 and 18 are connected to the battery. The front contacts 15 of the jacks 8, 9, and 10, respectively, are connected preferably to the lead 18 by means of leads 19, 20, and 21, respectively. One side of each of the devices 7, is connected to the lead 17 by means of leads 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The other side of each of the devices 5, 6, and ,7, is connected, respectively, to the spring 13 of each of the jacks 8, 9, and 10, by means of the leads 25, 26,. and 27, respectively. The back contact 14 of each ofthe acks 18 connected with the contact sprin of the next succeeding jack, so that the devices may be actuated in sequence by the in-.

tion, the grids 38and plates 39, together with the apparatus connected therewith will not be described, since these are articles of standard manufacture and since the circuits connecting the same are well known in. the art. The filaments of these vacuum tubes 35, 36, and 37, are shown, respectively, at 40, 41, and 42. Rheostats 43, 44, and 45, are provided for furnishing resistance for the filaments 40, 41, and :42, respectively.

When my circuitsand controls are used in connection with the wireless telegraphy, the jacks46 and 47 are provided with an extra back contact foruse in connection with the circuits and devices commonly employed in this art, and which, for clearness, will not be described. A which is like the jacks 46 and 47; but, since it is the last controlling device, it is not provided with back contacts. Each of the jacks is provided with a front contact 49; and the jacks 46' and 47 are each provided with a represent dia-- o vacuum tube; used inthis art. For clearness of descripe.

jack 48 is also employed,

back contact 50. Each of these jacks, because of the necessary provision of an auxiliary back contact for application to wireless telegraphy, is provided with two contact springs 51 and 52. The contact spring 52 is provided with the hook 53 for engagement with the jack plug (not shown), but its electrical connectionswill not be described for reasons hereinbefore stated. The contact spring 51 is normally in engagement with the back contact 50 of the jack, and is moved into engagement with the front contact 49 of the jack by means of the insertion of the lu P A battery 55 is provided, and main leads 56 and 57 are connected thereto. As in the form shown in Fig. 1, each of the front contacts 49 of the switching devices 46, 47 and 48 is connected, respectively, to the lead 47 by means of the leads 58, 59, and 60. The back contact 50 of the switching device 46 is connected to the contact spring 51 of the switching device 47 by means of a lead 61. Likewise the back contact 50 of the switching device 47 is connected to the contact spring 51 of the switching device 48 by means of. a lead 62.

One side of each of the filaments 40, 41, and 42 is connected to the lead 56 by means of leads 63, 64, and'65. The other side of.

.- the filament 40 is connected through the 5, returning to rheostat 43 to thespring contact 51 of the switching device 46 by means of alead 66. The other filament 41 is connected through its rheostat 44 to the contact spring ,51 of the switching device 47 by means of leads 67 and 61. Likewise, the other side of the filament 42is connected through its rheostat 45 to the contact spring 51 of the switching device 48 by means of leads 68 and 62.

Referring now to the pperation of the form of device shown in 1g. 1, it will be seenthat each of the devices 5, 6, and 7, is connected in parallel across the main leads 17 and 18 through the leads shown and described and also the back contact of each switching device, except the one last operated. For instance, if a plug is inserted in the jack 10, its contact spring 13 will be forced against its front contact 15. When so connected, current will flow from the battery 16 over leads 17 and 22 to the device the battery via lead 25, contact spring 13 and back contact 14 of the jack 8, leads 28 and 26, contact spring 13 and back contact 14 of the jack 9, leads 29 and 27, contact spring 13 and front contact 15 of jack 10, and leads 21 and 18, back to the battery. The current will also flow to the device 6 over leads 17 and 23, returning to the battery by means of lead 26, contact spring 13 and back contact 14 of jack 9, leads 29 and 27, contact spring 13- and front contact 15 of jack 10 and back to the battery over leads 21 and 18. The current will also flow to the device 7 over leads 17 and 24, returning to the battery over lead 27, contact spring 13, and front contact 15 of the jack 10, and returning to the battery over leads 21 and 18. It will thus be seen that each of'the devices 5, 6, and 7, is connected in parallel with each other. When the.plug is withdrawn from the jack 10, the contact spring will automatically be disengaged from the front contact 15 and the flow of current interrupted, through all of the devices. If now the plug be inserted in the jack 9, the electrical devices 5 and 6 only will be connected in parallel. When the plug is inserted, the spring contact of this jack will'be moved out of engagement with the back contact 14 and into engagement with the front contact 15. The current will flow through the electrical devices 5 and 6 and through the elements of jack 8, as hereinbefore described, and through the contact spring 13 and front contact 15 of the jack 9'and leads 20 and 18. When it is desired to connect but one of the electrical devices (namely, electrical device 5), the plug is inserted in the jack 8, whereupon the contact spring 13 thereof will be disengaged from its back contact 14 and engaged with its front contact 15. Current will now flow through the electrical device 5 by means of its connected circuits and return to the batterythrough contact spring 13, front contact 15, and lead 19.

The operation of the devices and circuits shown in Fig. 2 is very similar to that just above described. If, for instance, it is desired to connect the filament of the vacuum tube 35, a plu is inserted in the switching device 46. Wfilfill so inserted, the contact spring 51 will be moved out of engagement with the back contact 50 and into engagement with the front contact 49. Current will then flow from the battery 55 over lead 63 to the filament 40. From the filament, current will flow through the rheostat 43, lead 66, contact spring 51, front contact 49, and'lead 58, backto the battery. When it is desired to amplify the radio or other signaling current, two or more vacuum tube filaments are connected in parallel, and the plug is inserted in the switching device of the last vacuum tube'which is to be connected. If, for instance, the filament of vacuum tubes 35 and 36 are to be connected,

' of the switching device 47, returning to the battery over leads 59 and 57. The filament of the vacuum tube 36 will receive its cur rent over leads 56 and 64, returning through the rheostat 44, leads 67 and 61, back to the battery through the members of the switching device 47 and leads 59 and 57. When it is desired to connect the filament of the vacuum tubes 35, 36, and 37, the plug is inserted in the switching device 48. The filament of the vacuum tube will then receive its current from the battery through its rheostat 43 and contact springs and back contacts of the switching devices 46 and 47 and through leads '62, contact spring 51 and front contact 49 of the switching device 48, and back to the battery over leads 60 and 57. The filament of the vacuum tube 36 will receive its current through leads 56 and 64, returning through rheostat 44, and lead 67. At this point, the current will traverse the same circuits as just above pointed out. The filament of the vacuum tube 37 will receive its currentover leads 56 and 65, returning through its rheostat 45 and lead 68. From lead 68 the current from this vacuum tube will return to the battery over lead 62, contact spring and'front contact of switching device 48, and leads 60 and 57.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the electric devices or the filament of the vacuum tubes are connected in parallel with the source of current, and in sequence with each other. Clearly, but one plug is necessary for connecting any number of the devices or tubes and when the plug is inserted in either of the switching devices, all of the devices from the first to the one adjacent the switching device will be energized, and those on the other side of the switching device operated will be automaticallycut out of circuit. When the plug is withdrawn from any one of the switching devices, all of the electric devices or vacuum tubes will be disconnected from the battery.

In the foregoing description and appended claims, the term electrical devices should be construed to refer and include all those current consuming devices which produce or assist in producing useful results. As exaniples of such devices, I refer to not only vacuum tubes, but motors, electric light bulbs, heating units, and others of similarcharacter.

WVhile I have shown jacks, similar to those used in the telephone art, it is obvious that I may use any other switching device for accomplishing the purposes stated, such as, for

instance, an. anti-capacity key, or other switching key.

These, and other modifications of the details herein shown and describedmay be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims; and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the exact embodiment herein shown and described, the form described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes having their filaments connected in multiple, and a jack for each vacuum tube, each jack having a normally open front contact, and each jack except the last one also having a normally closed back contact, and means associated with the contacts, whereby when the front contact of either jack except the last one is closed, the back contact of the jack being operated will be opened.

2. A radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes having their filaments connected in multiple, and a jack for each vacuum tube, each jack having only one normally open front contact, and each jack except the last one also having a normally closed back contact, and means associated with the contacts, whereby when the front contact of either jack except the last one is closed, the back contact of the jack being operated will be opened.

3. A radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes having their filaments connected in multiple, and a jack having a normally open front contact for each vacuum tube, each jack between the last jack and the source of current being normally connected in series with each other through the back contact.

'4. A radio circuit characterized. by having a plurality of vacuum tubes having their filaments connected in multiple, and a jack for each vacuum tube, each jack having a normally open front contact, each jack except the last one being also formed with two normally closed back contacts, and means associated with the contacts, whereby when the front contact of either of except the last one is closed, the back con tacts of the jack being operated will be opened.

5. A. radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes having their filaments connected in multiple and a jack for each vacuum tube, each jack having a normally open front contact, and each jack the jacks except the last one also having a normally a closed back contact, the last jack being formed with only a normally 0 en front contact, and means associated wit the contacts, whereby when the front contact of either jack except the last one is closed, the back contact of the jack being operated will be opened.

6. A radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes, one or more of the tubes being adapted to be i1; use at a time and each having a filament, a source of current for the filaments, each tube filament having a jack associated therewith to control its filament current, each jack comprising a contact spring and a front contact normally out of engagement with the spring, each jack except the last of the series comprising a back contact connected to the contact spring of the next succeeding jack, the back contact of each jack being normally in engagement with the contact spring thereof and adapted to be out of engagement therewith when the said contact spring is in engagement with its associated front contact.

7. A radio circuit characterized by having a plurality of vacuum tubes, one or more of the tubes being adapted to be in use at a time and each having a filament, a source of current for the filaments, a plurality of jacks to control the filament current and each associated with a tube filament and comprising a contact spring and a front contact normally out of engagement with the contact spring, each jack except the last of the series having a back contact normally in enagement with the contact spring of the said 'Jack and adapted to be out of engagement therewith when "the said contact spring is in engagement with its associated front contact, all said front contacts being connected to one terminal of the current source, one terminal of each filament being connected to the other terminal of the current source, the other terminal of each filament being connected to the contact spring of the jack associated therewith, each back contact being connected to the contact spring of the succeeding jack, and means for moving the contact spring of 'a given jack into engagement with its associated front contact, whereby the circuit comprising the filament or filaments of the tube or tubes preceding the said jack is closed to permit current to flow to said filament or filaments from the current source.

8. A radio circuit characterized by having a pluralit of vacuum tubes, one or more of the tubes ing adapted to be in use at atime and each having a filament, a current source for the filaments, a plurality of jacks to control the filament current and each associated with a tube filament and compris-t ing a contact spring, and a front contact normally out of engagement with the contact spring, all said front contacts being connected to one terminal of the source of current, one terminal of each filament being connected to the other terminal of the current source, the other terminal of each filament being connected to the contact spring of the jack associated therewith, connection means associated with the contact springs comprising a back contact for each of the 'acks except the last of the series of jacks, and each of said back contacts being normally in engagement with its associated contact spring whereby all the contact springs are normally connected inseries.

9. A radio circuitcharactcrized by having a pluralit of vacuum tubes, one or more of the tubes being adapted to be in use at a time and each having a filament, a source of current for the filaments, a plurality of jacks to control the filament current and each associated with a tube filament and comprising a contact spring, and a front contact normally out of engagement with the contact spring, all said front contacts being connected to one terminal of the source of current, one terminal of each filament being connected to the other terminal of the source of current, the other terminal of each filament bein connected to the contact spring of the jac means associated with thecontact springs comprising a back contact for each of the jacks except the last of the series of jacks, each of said back contacts being normally in engagement with its associated contact spring so that all the contact springs are normally connected in series, andmeans for moving the contact spring of a given jack out of engagement with its associated back contact and into engagement with its associated front contact, whereby the series connection of the contact springs is opened at the given jack and a circuit including that portion of the series of contact springs comprised between the first of the series of jacks and the given jack and including the source of current is closed and all' filaments preceding the given jack are operatively connected with the source of current.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

SAMUEL E. ADAIR.

associated therewith, connection 

